Cumberland Community Unified School District No. 77 met Thursday, Jan. 5.
Here are the minutes as provided by Cumberland CUSD No. 77"
January Special Meeting
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Cumberland CUSD #77
January 5, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Jack Ingram. Members present included Ben Bland, Steve Layton, Kim Starwalt, Bob Blade, Anita Hayden, and Pam Ross. Others present included Todd Butler, Superintendent, High School Principal Kevin Maynard, Middle School Principal Stacy Keyser, and Elementary Principal Daniel Huffman, and Cumberland High School student council representative Sierra Starwalt.
The President welcomed members of the audience. Those present were Sherry Parker, Roy Clapp, Graham Milldrum, and Bob Scott.
President Ingram and the Board reviewed the Consent Agenda items:
a. Minutes Regular meeting 12-15-16
b. Financial and budget reports
c. Invoices needing approval for payment
d. Substitute list
It was moved by Steve Layton and seconded by Kim Starwalt to approve the Consent Agenda A-D. All members voted “Aye.”
Board Report:
Mr. Ingram commented again on the teacher, administrative, and community support at the Christmas concerts this December. Steve Layton echoed this remarkable work of the music teachers and students who did such an outstanding job at the concerts, as well.
Mr. Ingram asked for Bob Blade to report about the recent school board convention. He mentioned that he attended a session on the topic of “taking the time to really see the kids you work with, to see the adults in the room, and really see who they are as individuals”. He also attended another general session by Joan Lunden where she stated, “Take a risk. A risk is an opportunity”. Mr. Blade also attended sessions on superintendent evaluation, lobbying, school safety topics, and making decisions. Mr. Blade also reported that he attended a school safety session at the convention. He learned that the experts reported that we should be more concerned about student suicide than an attack on the school with the trends presenting themselves in lives today. We must prepare our students and staff to focus on the mental and emotional well-being of our students even more today.
Mr. Ingram said that he attended sessions on school safety and other sessions that focused on the students who are “left in the middle” and how to engage those students mentally and what we could do to reach more students. Mr. Ingram encouraged the other board members to attend this convention next year, if possible.
High School Report from Kevin Maynard
Congratulations to Sierra Starwalt for being named to the All-Tournament team at the Piasa Southwestern Scholastic Bowl Tournament on December 3rd.
Mrs. Plummer and the Guidance office will be starting the process of Freshman Orientation for the class of 2021. Mrs. Plummer along with several departments at the high school will be meeting with the class to discuss options as they begin high school in the fall of 2017. After the meetings parents who wish to speak with Mrs. Plummer should contact the high school office to arrange a time to meet.
Congratulations to Coach Jim Miller. Coach Miller won his 400th dual wrestling match at Shelbyville on November 29th.
Boys and Girls Basketball teams have finished play over the Holiday Break. The girls participated in the Knights Classic in Arthur and the boys played in the St. Elmo Holiday tournament finishing in third place. Congratulations to Tyson Magee for being named to the All-Tournament team at St. Elmo.
Congratulations to the following students for being selected to participate in the WYSE team: Cole Willenborg, Drew Warner, Megan Walsh, Alex Carter, Sierra Starwalt, Hannah Puckett, Sadie Oakley, Hayden Kanizer, Angel Jackson, Dillon Howard, Gannon Gank, Andrew Fritts, Olivia Franklin, Penny Flood, Macey Craig, Cheyanne Burke, Skylar Brumleve, Leah Brown, Jade Brown, and Josie Brockett.
Middle School Report from Stacy Keyser
We had a Raider Keys celebration to honor our students in the areas of grades, attendance, and behavior on Friday, January 6. We played a dodge ball tourney. Thanks to the “celebrity” team comprised of: Audra Speakman, Josh McElravy, Jay McElravy, Kenny Keyser, Greg Boldt, Megan Walk, Jim Talley, Tera Scales, Darin Hansen, Steve Maroon, Chris Theis, and Stacey Carl.
Musical rehearsal has begun. There are 59 students in the cast and crew of Lion King, Junior. Tickets will go on sale around March 1 for the March 17, 18 and 19 production. There will be a fundraiser breakfast with the characters of the show on Saturday, February 11 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Toledo Christian Church.
Girls volleyball won their first two matches against Paris Mayo this week. They looked great in their first outing. Check the school website for further contests.
The eighth grade students have started to think about and discuss registration for their high school classes with members of the high school staff and Mrs. Plummer. This will be ongoing for the next couple of weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays during study hall.
There were 64 middle school students with perfect attendance during the second quarter.
Elementary School Report from Daniel Huffman
Report cards will be distributed on January 10th for the 2nd quarter.
There will be Early Dismissal at 12:20 p.m. on January 25. A teacher institute will be held in the afternoon. We will have a True Colors personality trait presentation for the certified staff.
January 16th there will be no school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
Valentine’s Day parties will be held February 14, starting at 2:30 p.m. Room volunteers will be able to enter the building starting at 2:15 p.m.
Thank you to the Janitors, Maintenance, and Technology crews for the extra work that you did during our Christmas break to maintain and keep the building looking nice. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
We had 3 very successful Christmas Concerts during the month of December. The students did an outstanding job. Thank you to Mr. Ozier and Mrs. Boger for the effort you put into the planning and the teaching the students their parts and songs. Your hard work was very evident in the students’ performances. Also, thank you to the staff that attended and assisted the music teachers. Your efforts were also greatly appreciated.
We are off to a great start for the 2nd Semester. We had an awesome 1st semester, and I only anticipate even better things for the 2nd half of the year. We have so many dedicated employees that put in extra time to provide a top-notch educational experience for our students.
There were 92 elementary students with perfect attendance during the second quarter.
Superintendent Report from Todd Butler
He informed the Board of the savings the district has seen in three year totals on its electric bill.
Mr. Butler presented information and answered questions on the School Facility Sales Tax, he also passed out a document that is designed to help the community understand the purpose of the proposed sales tax:
School Facility Sales Tax- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cumberland County School Facility Sales Tax?
The county sales tax for schools is a new approach to provide improved school facilities and help prevent property tax rate hikes. The April proposal asks voters to decide on a countywide, one percent sales tax utilized only for school facilities. The revenue from this sales tax will fund school facility repairs and improvements without increasing property taxes.
Isn’t this another property tax?
No, a property tax places the tax burden squarely on the shoulders of the local community. A sales tax spreads the tax burden fairly across the customers that do business in our county, however there are items that are exempt from this tax such as; Farm inputs (seed, feed, fertilizer, fuel, equipment purchases), pharmaceuticals, groceries subject to the 1%, vehicles, etc.
Can the revenue from this tax be used for things such as salaries, benefits, school buses, operating expense, etc.?
No, the law only allows the proceeds to be used for items such as maintaining, renovating and upgrading school facilities.
How much money will the tax generate?
If passed, this tax is expected to generate $265 each year for each student. With enrollment figures holding at or near 1000 students, it means approximately $265,000.00 annually.
How much more would I actually be paying if this passed?
$100.00 of grocery food = no increase
$7.00 of fast food = 7 cents
$15,000 car/truck = no increase
$450.00 TV = $4.50
$50.00 of gas = 50 cents
$40.00 of medicine = no increase
$70.00 of lumber = 70 cents
$1.00 spent = $0.01 sales tax
$10.00 spent = $0.10 sales tax
$100.00 spent = $1.00 sales tax
$1,000 spent = $10.00 sales tax
$3,000 spent = $30.00 sales tax
***Farm inputs such as seed, feed, fertilizer, and implement purchases will not be taxed.***
How will funds be used?
Funds from this sales tax can be used for maintaining, renovating and upgrading school facilities. Sales tax revenues can be used instead of issuing bonds that raise property tax rates. Each school district in the county decides how to use sales tax revenues.
Cumberland CUSD 77’s top priorities
Preventing tax rate hikes
Asbestos removal
Restroom, classroom, HS gym renovations
Safety and security
Will every school district in the county benefit from this tax?
Yes. All eight school districts who have students that reside in Cumberland County will receive funds from the sales tax, which will be collected from all towns in the county and then distributed by the regional office of education based on district enrollment. The money follows the student.
When does this tax end?
The penny sales tax may enable school districts in the county to reduce the unpopular tax hikes that follow large capital projects. This tax can only be implemented once under Illinois law. It can be terminated if the district with 51% of the student enrollment decides to pass a resolution ending the CFST.
What is the difference between paying for schools through property taxes or with a sales tax? Schools are still funded through taxes. Why would I support any new tax?
The countywide facility sales tax is a state approved method to fund school facilities. Transferring costs to pay for facility needs to the sales tax side results in “non” property owners contributing toward paying for maintenance, renovation, and construction of schools. In addition, many Cumberland County residents shop and dine in other counties and will pay the required sales tax. This new funding method will reduce the need for the school district to rely solely on property taxes for school buildings. The sales tax revenue would help fund facility projects in lieu of property taxes.
How many counties in Illinois have passed the CSFST?
Currently, there are 47 counties that have approved the CSFST in the State of Illinois. Most recently, Coles and Edgar County approved the countywide sales tax. Many other counties including Effingham and Moultrie are scheduled to vote on this in April 2017.
How can I support the campaign's efforts?
Be a vocal supporter to family and friends; spread the word. Let community members know it is a funding source that will benefit everyone who cares about our community, and it will help maintain a fair property tax rate and avoid the unpopular property tax hikes. A large majority of revenue from this sales tax will be collected from “non” property owners and interstate travelers and who do not reside within our county. The new Love’s truck stop in Greenup will generate a great deal of revenue from interstate travelers, which will provide additional revenue for our facility improvements.
Bob Scott voiced his opinion on this being positive for our community. He feels it’s a tax benefit. It’s a way of sharing the tax burden. Maintenance on buildings is very important. Educating the voters will be necessary to make everyone aware of the benefits. There are things that we cannot stop people from going to other communities to purchase. With the addition of the Love’s truck stop in Greenup, it is projected that $50 million dollars worth of sales could occur at that store in the first year. A great deal of that money will be collected from people that do not own property or reside in Cumberland County. Mr. Scott also added that the Cumberland school district has been financially sound for several years. This is a wonderful testament to the folks overseeing the district, but maybe money should have been spent in various areas because now there are places in the district that will need maintenance, they are not being serviced or improved regularly. Buildings need maintenance and our buildings are getting old. This would offer our community a way to reinvest in itself without burdening our community members with a property tax hike in the form of selling bonds to borrow money.
Mr. Butler and board discussed that there are possible projects not limited to the following that may need attention in the very near future. Those include: abating and replacing asbestos floor tiles in the grade school building, renovating restrooms, renovating classrooms, updating the high school gym ceiling and bleachers. Most importantly, with this facilities sales tax, revenue would be generated so the property owners would not have to consider property tax increases as a source of extra revenue for the district.
Roy Clapp reported that he has heard community members state that they want the property taxes to go lower, but individuals voicing this opinion need to understand that if this facilities sales tax increase isn’t supported, property taxes are guaranteed to go up. There will be district incidental items and expenses that will have to be funded regardless of which revenue source is available.
Mr. Ingram added that this facilities sales tax cannot be used to raise salaries and benefits. It is only for the improvement and building of our facilities.
Action Items:
A motion was made by Anita Hayden to approve field trip for the FFA to Mt. Vernon for the 212 Leadership Conference on February 3rd and 4th. It was seconded by Pam Ross. All present voted “Aye.”
A motion was made by Steve Layton and seconded by Bob Blade to approve The RESOLUTION directing the Regional Superintendent of Schools for the County of Cumberland, Illinois, to certify to the County Clerk of said County the question of imposing a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes for submission to the electors of said County at the consolidated election to be held on the 4th day of April, 2017.
A motion was made by Pam Ross and seconded by Kim Starwalt to move into closed session for the purposes of the discussion of employment, appointment, resignation, evaluation of personnel, matters relating to an individual student, and negotiations at 7:42 p.m. All present voted “Aye.”
The Board entered into open session at 8:06 p.m.
Kim Starwalt made the motion to employ Sammi James as a MS Health and Physical Education Teacher pending successful completion of all required Illinois teacher licensure requirements. It was seconded by Anita Hayden. All present voted “Aye”.
Steve Layton made the motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Ben Bland. All members present voted “Aye.” There were no “Nay” votes.
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
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